Cooling system



W. M. FULTON, I V. GIESLER AND H. T. PATTON.

COOLING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED AULLIL I916.

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wns'ron M. FULTON, JEAN v. GIESLER,

AND Hana. PATTON, or KNOXVILLE,

TENNESSEE, ASSIGNORS TO THE FULTON COMPANY, OF KNOXVILLE, TEN- NESSEE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

COOLING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL-COMBUQTION ENGINES.

I To all whom it may concern:

This invention relates to a cooling system for an internal combustlon engine, and is I more particularly designed for cooling the internal combustion engine of an automobile.

'An object of this invention is to provide a system of the type referred to, comprising the usual radiator, wherein the cooling mediumnormally circulating through the system is automatically withdrawn from the radiator upon the temperature in the system dropping below a predetermined degree. A further object of this invention is to provide a cooling systemfor internal combustion engines having two paths for the circulation of the cooling medium, one of such "represents an internal combustion engine of the usual or any preferred type, such, for

paths including a; radiator, and automatic means for cutting the; path including the of the system when the temperatui'eJin" the system drops below apredetermined d egree, simultaneously withdrawing from the radiator the cooling me-. dium to'prevent its freezing therein. Still a further object of the invention is to pro-. vide a cooling system for automobiles that includes a radiator and means whereby the cooling medium may 'be withdrawn therefrom at will to avoid all danger of the radiator freezing in cold'weather. Another object is to provide a cooling systemfthat is simple inconstruction, inex ensive to manufacture and install, and e cient in opera tion. A Stated briefly, the invention comprises, in a cooling'system for an internal combustion engine includingthe usual radiator and by preference a by-pass around the radiator, thermo-sensitive means controlling the admission of the cooling medium to the radiator and the circulation through the by-pass when provided, and means whereby, upon the radiator being cut out of the system,

the-cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from the radiator, a reservoir for the storage of the cooling medium 50 with 1 The invention is susceptible of embodiment in a variety of mechanical expressions, one of which, for the purposes of illustration, has been shown on the accompanying drawing. But it is to be expressly understood that such embodiment is for purposes of illustration only, and is not to be construed as a de-finition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

The drawing represents an elevation,

partly in section, of a cooling system for an internal combustion engine-of the type commonly used .in automobiles, and embodying the present invention.

- Referring in detail to such drawing, 1

example, as is cominonly used in automobiles. vided with a jacket or jackets through w ich a cooling medium is circulated. 2 represents the outlet manifold from the jackets,

and 3 represents the inlet manifold direct ingthe cooling medium into the jackets.

l represents any conventional form of radi-L- same comprising a conduit 4' leading from "the branch of" the circuit comprising the manifold 2 and conduit.5 to the branch of the circuit comprising the outlet 6' from the radlator. Thelatter end of the by-pa'ss may be connected into, the circuit by any 3 Specification of Letters Patent. Patented nine 10, 1919. I

Application filed August 19, 1916. Serial No. 115,868.

As is-customary, the engine is r0 suitable coupling, thatjshownf comprising a T-coupling 8 intermediate the outlet 6. and

the inlet of the pump.

In accordance with- 'the presentinvention,

means are provided for automatically controlling the circulation of'the cooling medium 'let manifold 2.

through the radiator and the by-pass. In the form shown a housing 9 constitutes a part of the system and communicates at opposite ends with the manifold 2 and the conduit.5. Within the housing 9 are walls 10 and 11 provided with port 12 and 13, respectively controlled by valves 14 and 15. While in the embodiment illustrated the valves are shown as of the seating type, it is to beexpressly understood that any other preferred form of valve may be employed. The valves 14 and 15 are connected by a rigid stem 16, whereby they move in unison to the end that as either valve is opened the other is correspondingly closed.

Means are provided for automatically controlling the valves 14 and 15, said means comprising a thermostat 17 shown as positioned within the housing 9 in the path of the cooling medium as it flows from the out- Thermostat 17 may be mounted in position by any suitable means, as by a bracket 18 secured to a wall of the housing 9. \Vhile any suitable thermostat may be employed, the preferred construction comprises an expansible and collapsible vessel, preferably of resilient metal whereby said vessel is possessed of an inherent elasticity, said vessel being charged with a volatile thermosensitive fluid at a pressure below that to which the vessel is normally exteriorly subjected. The connection between the vessel and the valves is such that contraction of the'vessel opens the valve controlling admission to the by-pass, and closes the valve controlling admission to the radiator, expansion of the said vessel producing an opposite movement of said valves. The elasticity inherent in the vessel is sufiicient of itself to actuate the valves, whereby, upon equalization of pressure within and without the vessel, as would occur upon leakage of the vessel, the same will expand owing to its inherent elasticity to open wide the valve controlling admission of the cooling medium to the radiator.

To provide-for the automatic withdrawal of the cooling medium from the radiator, when admission of the cooling medium thereto is prevented, by-pass 4 18 made of such diameter that the cooling medium flow-,

ing therethrough is less than the capacity of the pump 7. Asa result, when admission of the cooling medium to the radiator is pre-- vented, the pump 7 will withdraw such medium from the radiator 4, through the outlet 6, as well as .maintain the circulation through the path comprising the jackets of, the cylinders and the by-pass 4. To revent the cooling medium flowing back into the radiator when such. condition exists, a

checkvalve 19 is provided in the outlet of the radiator, such valve permitting the circulating medium to flow out of the radiator and preventing its flowing back into the radiator. To providefor the storage of the cooling medium so withdrawn from the radiator, a reservoir is provided in a suitable location in the system. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated location of this reservoir for storing the cooling medium is not essential to this invention, but for convenience of construction it has been shown as provided by an extension 20 of the housing 9 for the thermosensitive means and valves. The reservoir 20 is shown provided with a cover 21 in which is a vent 22 to provide for the escape of the air as the cooling medium is stored therein.

When the automobile is stopped in cold weather it may frequently occur that the engine is so warm that the thermosensitive device 17 is sufficiently expanded by the temperature of the cooling medium as to keep the valve 15 open, maintaining a circulation through the radiator. If the engine is then stopped, the cooling medium is left in the. radiator and, if the weather be very cold, may freeze therein. It therefore becomes desirable that a means be provided wherebythe cooling medium may be entirely withdrawn from the radiator by running the engine a few minutes after the automobile is stopped, even though the valve 15 admitting cooling medium to the radiator be open.

. Therefore, a manually controlled valve and by-pass may be and preferably are provided between conduit 5 and the by-pass 4'. \Vhile this by-p-ass may be provided in any convenient way, the illustrated construction comprises a conduit 23 formed within the housing 9. This conduit 2-3 at one end communicates with the space within the housing 9 adjacent the conduit 5, and at its other end with the inlet portion of the by-pass 4. Means are provided for controlling this bypass 23, whereby the same may be opened or closed at will, and for simultaneously closing or opening the conduit 5 to the flow of cooling medium therethrough; In the form shown, a butter-fly valve 24 is pivoted to a wall of the housing and adapted at one extremity of its movement to completely close the inlet to the by-p-ass 23, as shown in dotted lines and at its other extremity of movement to completely close the inlet to the passage 5, which, in turn, communicates with conduit 5. Valve-24 is provided with an operating crank-arm 25, and any suitable means may be provided for operating said crank-arm 25, the preferred construction comprising an operating member, as a cord, 26, extending to the automobile dash. Means are preferably provided for norm-ally maintaining the valve 24 in a position to close the inlet to by-pass 23. This means may be of any suitable construction as a torsion spring surrounding the pivot of the butterfly valve 24. or, as illustrated for convenience .on the drawing, a tension spring 27 between the crank-arm 25 and any convenient part of quently be at a low temperature. Thermostat 17, subjected to the cooling medium as it leaves the cylinders, will be contracted, maintaining valve 14 wide open and valve 15 entirely closed. The pump 7 will then prbduce a circulation of the cooling medium through the manifold 3, jacket 1, manifold 2, housing 9, by-pass 4', back to the pump. The temperature of the cooling medium will rise quickly and, when it has reached a temperature most efficient for the operation of the engine, thermostat 17 will begin to expand, gradually closing valve H and pro portionately opening valve 15, whereby an increasing quantity of the cooling medium will be sent through the radiator, the proportion of cooling medium flowing throu h the radiator being determined automaticafiy by the temperature of the system. Eventually, if the temperature of the cooling medium rises sufliciently high, valve ll will be entirely closed and valve 15 wide open.

'hen thermostat 17 is So contracted as to entirely close valve 15, preventing admission of the cooling medium to the radiator, pump 7 will simultaneously draw the cooling medium through the by-pass 7 and withdraw the cooling medium from the radiator through the outlet 6, the check-valve 19 preventing the flow of the cooling medium back into the radiator. The radiator will thereby be quickly emptied of the cooling medium, preventing the freezing of such medium therein.

In case there is a leak in the thermostat, the pressure without and within the same will become equalized, and the elasticity inherent in the vessel of the thermostat will cause an expansion of such vessel, closing valve 14 and opening valve 15, maintaining the circulation through the radiator, and

thereby preventing any dangerous condition arising. such as overheating of the cooling system. as would occur if the radiator were cut out of the system without a temperature control for admitting the cooling medium to the same when required.

When the automobile is stopped in very cold weather, there is danger of the cooling medium freezing in the radiator if left standing therein. If the system is sufficiently warm so that thermosensitive member 17 is expanded and the valve 15 open to maintain a' circulation through the radiator, the operator may pull operating member 26 to move valve 2t against the tension of its spring, uncovering the inlet to the bypass 23 and closing the inlet to the conduit 5, operating-member 26 being retained in the latter position in any suitable way. By-pass 23 is then brought into communication with by-pass 4', and as admission of the cooling medium to conduit 5 is prevented by valve 24, such fluid will bedrawn by the pump 7 through the by-passes 23 and 4:. At. the same time, the pump will withdraw the cooling medium from the radiator 4 through its outlet 6, the cooling medium being stored in 0 the reservoir 20. Therefore, by operating the valve 24 and running the pump 7 for a few minutes, all of the cooling medium may be withdrawn from the radiator, though valve 15 be wide open. If the engine now be stopped and the system left in this condition, the cooling medium will cool, and *thermosensitive member 17 will contract, opening valve Ll and closing valve 15. The system is restored to its condition for normal operation by releasing the operating membe 26 before starting the engine. I While the illustrated embodiment has been described with considerable particularity, it is to expressly understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the exact embodiment shown, the same being susceptible of embodiment in a variety of mechanical expressions, some of which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

.The limits of the invention then are to be determined by reference to the claims hereto appended. I lVhat isclaimed is; i 1. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, means controlling the admission of cooling medium thereto, thermosensitive means for operating said controlling means, and means whereby the cooling medium is no automatically withdrawn from said radiator when admission of cooling medium thereto is prevented.

2. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines,the combination of a ra- .115

diator, a by-pass therearound, and automatic'means whereby the radiator is cut out of and the by-pass connected into the system and the cooling medium Withdrawn from the radiator upon the temperature of said medium dropping below a predetermined degree.

3. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pass therearound. means con trolling the admission of cooling medium to said radiator and by-pass, means whereby said controlling means is actuated .to close admission to said radiator and fully open said by-pass upon the temperature of said cooling medium dropping below a predetermined degree, and means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from said radiator upon the closing of admission thcreto.

4.. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a ra-' diator, a by-pass therearound, valves controlling the admission of cooling medium to said radiator and by-pass, thermosensitive means for opening and closing said valves. and means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from said radiator when the valve controlling admission thereto is closed.

5. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of aradiator, a by-pass therearound, valves controlling the admission of cooling medium to said radiator and by-pass, thermosensitive means subjected to the cooling medium and adapted to close the valve controlling admission to said radiator and fully open the valve controlling admission to said by pass upon a decrease of temperature of the cooling medium below a predetermined degree, and means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from said radiator when the valve controlling admission thereto is closed.

6. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pass therearound, valve mechanism for proportioni-ng the flow of cooling medium through said radiator and by-pass, thermosensitive means for operating said valve mechanism, and means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from said radiator when admission of cooling medium thereto is prevented.

7. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a pump for maintaining circulation of the cooling medium, means for preventing admission of the cooling medium to the radiator, thermosensitive means controlling said last-named means, means in the outlet of the radiator for preventing the cooling medium flowing back into the radiator, and a reservoir for storing the cooling medium when the radiator is cut out of the system.

8. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a pump for maintaining circulation of the cooling medium, a by-pass around the radiator, means whereby the cooling medium may be circulated through either the radiator or the by-pass to the exclusion of the other, means inthe outlet of the radiator for preventing the'cooling medium flowing back into the radiator, and a reservoir for storing the cooling medium when the radiator is cut out of the system.

9. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a pump for maintaining circulation of the cooling medium, a by-pass around the bustion engines, the combination ,of a ra-.

diator, a pump for maintaining circulation of the cooling medium, aby-pass around said radiator, valves controlling admission of the cooling medium to the radiator and by-pass, thermosensitive means controlled by the temperature of the cooling medium and so connected to said valves as to proportionately close either one as .the other is opened, a check-valve in the outlet of the radiator to prevent the cooling medium flowing back into the radiator, and a reservoir for storing the cooling medium when the radiator is cut out of the system.

11. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pass therearound, thermosensitively-controlled valve mechanism for regulating the circulation of cooling medium through said radiator and by-pass, a pump for maintaining circulation of the cooling medium and having a capacity greater than can be supplied by said by-pass alone, and

a reservoir for storing the cooling medium when circulation thereof through the radiator is prevented.

12. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprising two paths for the circulation of the coolmg medium, one of said paths including a radiator, automatic means for cuttin out of the system the path including the ra iator when the'temperature of the cooling medium drops below a predetermined degree, and means, for automatically withdrawing the cooling medium from the radiator when the path including the radiator is cut out of the system.'

13. A cooling system for internal oombustion engines comprising two paths for the circulation of the coolmg medium, one of said paths including a ra iator, thermosensitive means for connecting either path into the system to theexclusion of the other, and means for automatically withdrawing the cooling medium from the radiator when the path including the the system 14. In a coolin system for internal combustion engines, t e combination of a radiator, a by-pass therearou'nd, thermosensitivel-oontrolled valve mechanism for preventing the admission of cooling medium to radiator is cut out of medium drops below a predetermined degree, and means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from said radiator when admission thereto is prevented.

15. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprisin a radiator, a pump for maintaining circu ation of the cooling medium, a valve controlling admission of the cooling medium to the radiator, thermosensitive means controlling said valve, and a check-valve in the outlet of said radiator.

- 16. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprising a radiator, a pump for maintaining circulation of the cooling medium, a by-pass around the radiator, valves for controlling admission of the cooling medium to the radiator and by-pass, thermosensitive means controlling said valves,'and a check-valve in the outlet of said radiator.

17. In a coolin system for internal combustion engines, tIxe combination of a radiator, a by-pass around the radiator, means controlling the admission of cooling medium to said radiator and by-pass, means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from the radiator when admission of the cooling medium thereto is prevented, a second by-pass between the inlet to the radiator and the first-named by-pass, and a valve controlling said last-named by-pass.

18. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pass around theradiator, means controllin the admission of cooling medium to said ra iator and by-pass, means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from the radiator when admission of the cooling medium thereto is prevented, a second by-pass between the inlet to the radiator and the first-named by-pass, and means for controlling the inlet to said lastnamed by-pass and the inlet to said radiator.

19. In a system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pas around the radiator, means controlling the admission of cooling medium to said radiator and by-pass, means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from the radiator when admission of the medium thereto is prevented, a second-bypass between the inlet to the radiator and the first-named by-pass, and valve means adapted to open or close the inlet to said last-named by-pass and simnltw neously close or open the inlet to said radiator.

20. In a coolin system for internal-oombustion engines, 51c combination of a radiator, a by-pass around the radiator, means controlling the admission of cooling medinm to said radiator and by-pass, means whereby .the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from the radiator when admission of the cooling medium thereto 1s prevented, a second by-pass between the inlet to the radiator and the first-named by-pass,-

21. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, automatic means for preventing admission of the cooling medium to the radiator, admission of the cooling medium to the radiator, and means for automatically withdrawing the cooling medium from the radiator whenever the admission of the cooling medium thereto is prevented.

22. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, thermosensitive means for preventing admission of the cooling medium to the radi ator, manual means for preventing admission of the cooling medium to the radiator, and means for automatically withdrawing the cooling medium from the radiator whenever the admission of cooling medium thereto is prevented.

23. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, means automatically controlled by the temperature of the cooling medium for preventing admission of the cooling medium to the radiator, manual means for preventing admission of the cooling medium to the radiator,-and--means for automatically .withdrawing the cooling medium from tor whenever the admission of coohng medium thereto is prevented.

24. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a valve controlling admission of the cooling medium thereto, thermosensit1ve means for controlling said valve, means whereby the cooling medium is automatically withdrawn from said radiator when said valve is closed, and means whereby the cooling medium may be automatically withdrawn from said radiator when said valve is open.

25. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a valve controlling admission of the cooling medium, thereto, means automat1- cally controlled by the temperature 'the cooling medium for controlling said valve, means whereby the cooling medium 1s automatically withdrawn from said radiator when saidvalve is closed, and means whereby the cooling medium may automatically withdrawn from said radiator when said valve is open.

the radiamanual means for preventing 26. In a cooling systemfor internal cointo said radiator and by-pass, means for operating said valves, means for automatically withdrawing the cooling medium from the radiator when the valve controllin sion of the cooling medium thereto is and means whereby the cooling medium may be automatically withdrawn from said radiator when said last-mentioned valve is open.

27. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pass around said radiator, valves controlling admission of the cooling medium to said radiator and by-pass, thermosensitive means for operating said valves, means whereby the cooling medium may be automatically withdrawn from the radiator when the valve controlling admission of the cooling medium thereto is closed, and means for automatically withdrawin the cooling medium from said radiator w en said lastmentioned valve is open.

28. In a cooling system for internal com bustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pass around said radiator, valves controlling admission of the cooling medium to said radiator and by-pass, means automatically controlled by the temperature of the cooling medium for operating said valves, means for automatically withdrawing the cooling medium from the radiator when the valve controlling admission of the cooling medium thereto is closed, and means whereby the cooling medium may be automatically withdrawn from said radiator when said last-mentioned valve is open.

29. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pass around said radiator, valves controlling admission of the cooling medium closed,

admis-' prising a mission of the cooling medium thereto is closed, and means whereby the cooling medium ma be automatically withdrawn from said ra iator when said last-mentioned valve is open,vsaid last-named means comsecond by-pass between the inlet to sald radiator and said first-named bypass and valve means for controlling saidlast-named by-pass and the inlet to said radiator.

30. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, a by-pass around the radiator, valve means controlling the admission of cooling medium to said radiator and by-pass, means whereby the cooling medium is automaticall Withdrawn from the radiator when admlssion of the cooling medium thereto is prevented, a by-pass around said valve means, and valve means for controlling said second by-pass and the inlet to the radiator.

1 I 311 In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, the combination of a radiator, Valve means for controlling the admission of cooling medium to said radiator, means for. operating said valve means, and means whereby the cooling medium is automatically Withdrawn from said radiator when admission of cooling medium thereto is prevented.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification.

WESTON M. FULTON. JEAN v. GIESLER. HAL 'r. PATTON, 

